Anyone know why some Bridgesii grow spineless in the winter?
Been growing this Bridgesii cutting out for around 5 years, being in Canada I take my cacti inside under LEDs in the winter and my long spine Bridgesii start to grow completely bald. Any idea why this happens?
I believe spine length can correlate to light intensity.
Perhaps the lights you have them under are significantly less intense than natural sunlight.
Ecstatic_Eye_7015
I had mine outside and mine did the same..
MurkyFogsFutureLogs
The new growth on mine displays smaller spines. I think it could be that.
[deleted]
It could be due to less pests and predators activities during colder months. I’m making a guess based on how holly reacts to its environment.
essentialghost
Less UV, shorter spines. More UV, longer danger spines
Battles9
Its because spines are actually a type of shading for the plant so when the plants in need of more light it grows less spines. When light is intense and hot it’ll grow its spines longer to shade and collect water from morning dew to drip down to the base of the plant. Now having said that its also limited by genetics so a short spine cac won’t grow long spines under intense light just long as they genetically will go
snaphappy2
A lot of my bridges have long spines on new pups and but end up completely bald as the column grows out (Eileen, LMA, Twin Spine etc)
CasaDeLimon
Many, if not most, bridges go spineless as they get older. Every stand I’ve see. With columns over 6 feet (including mine) go bald at some point.
8 Comments
I believe spine length can correlate to light intensity.
Perhaps the lights you have them under are significantly less intense than natural sunlight.
I had mine outside and mine did the same..
The new growth on mine displays smaller spines. I think it could be that.
It could be due to less pests and predators activities during colder months. I’m making a guess based on how holly reacts to its environment.
Less UV, shorter spines. More UV, longer danger spines
Its because spines are actually a type of shading for the plant so when the plants in need of more light it grows less spines. When light is intense and hot it’ll grow its spines longer to shade and collect water from morning dew to drip down to the base of the plant. Now having said that its also limited by genetics so a short spine cac won’t grow long spines under intense light just long as they genetically will go
A lot of my bridges have long spines on new pups and but end up completely bald as the column grows out (Eileen, LMA, Twin Spine etc)
Many, if not most, bridges go spineless as they get older. Every stand I’ve see. With columns over 6 feet (including mine) go bald at some point.